Council clears way for Lowell Memorial Auditorium bid review

By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com

Updated:
02/06/2013 06:35:53 AM EST

LOWELL -- Some city councilors expressed misgivings Tuesday night about the potential for the same firm to manage both the Lowell Memorial Auditorium and the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, but most still urged the city to move forward with evaluating the one submitted proposal to run the historic auditorium.

A scenario in which the same firm operates the two facilities in the city's downtown is a possibility because Global Spectrum, which manages the Tsongas Center, submitted the only bid to take over management of the auditorium.

City Councilor Rita Mercier said she fears that under Global, the auditorium could become much like the Tsongas Center in creating an all-encompassing experience inside the facility that would not provide spin-off benefits to local businesses.

Mercier said she wants those attending events at either Lowell venue to patronize local restaurants so they can survive. She highlighted how they are already facing increased competition because of the restaurant at the UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center in the downtown.

"Are they going to be working for the university as opposed to the auditorium?" Lorrey said.

Lorrey suggested the city itself consider running the auditorium, like an enterprise fund.

Councilor Rodney Elliott said he thinks it better for the two venues to compete with each other, rather than one firm overseeing both of them.

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"The venue size may be different, but when you go out and look at events to go these facilities it is good to have competition," Elliott said.

For theater-style events, the auditorium on East Merrimack Street can seat just under 3,000 people, while the Tsongas Center is a 7,800-seat arena.

Elliott suggested that the city consider restarting the RFP process, but other councilors expressed concerns about doing so and said the process should continue.

The next action step will be an evaluation of whether Global's proposal meets the criteria the city sought from bidders.

"We at least owe it to evaluate this one before we go down another road," Councilor Bill Martin said.

Councilor Vesna Noun agreed.

"I am also concerned if we choose to go back and start this process over, maybe we don't even have that one (proposal)," Nuon said.

Councilor Joseph Mendonca said he hopes Global's proposal ends up being advantageous to the city, but if it is not, the city could then decide to start the process again.

Mendonca also said if the city wants to move forward with Global's proposal, the council will get the chance to weigh in again when the contract is brought forward to them for approval.

City Manager Bernie Lynch said he wants the evaluation committee to review the proposal before any decision about the next steps in the process are made. Lynch said the evaluation will take two to three weeks.

"I think it is important we continue going through the process," Lynch said.

Councilors said the auditorium's board of trustees should be involved with the evaluation of Global's bid. They approved Councilor Ed Kennedy's motion calling for Lynch to seek advice and recommendations from the trustees on the RFP process.

Kennedy said he wants the whole board to weigh in.

Two members of the auditorium's board will sit on the city's evaluation committee, said Lynch.

The opportunity to manage the auditorium opened up because Mill City Management announced late last year that it would not seek a new contract after 17 years of running the facility. Mill City Management's tenure ends June 30.

According to the RFP, the city is seeking to sign a five-year contract with the company it selects, and the contract would include a mutual option to extend the contract for up to three additional years. The contract would be expected to take effect July 1.

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